+1 Good one! Also make sure you can find your shovel. I tossed mine when clearing out the garage one summer and forgot to buy a new one. Needless to say that first snowfall left 2 foot drifts on my porch steps.
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Steve JacksonNov 17 '10 at 18:39

I'd recommend the fluid level check weekly. That's saved me from some potentially huge repair expenses before! Most people can make it a week with a hidden leak, but beyond that, you could be running something dry and causing damage. Third item is wise to do monthly. Air temperature variations throughout the year will dramatically affect the pressure, and the pressure is critical to proper wear (as well as handling).
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Brian KnoblauchMar 18 '11 at 17:27

Is it common to not have an inside shut-off valve for external hosebibs? One of my shut-off valves doesn't close, so I bought one of the covers. Is it going to be good enough for 0 °F temperatures?
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Vebjorn LjosaNov 18 '10 at 9:52

@Vebjorn None of the houses I've lived in has ever had an inside shut-off, and it's not uncommon to see a week in the -15 to -20F region during the Winter. Haven't had a problem yet, even on houses with vented crawlspaces (although, I'm always quite nervous on those cold days!). If I run across any of these insulators locally, I'll pickup a couple. Looks like cheap insurance.
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Brian KnoblauchMar 18 '11 at 17:30

Every homeowner will have subtle differences. My list runs like this...

Clean gutters.

Ensure no leaks in the gutters. (A couple of the joints in our gutters need to be checked on a yearly basis.)

Pull the hoses from the hose bibs, shut the valve in the basement. Then blow out the water from the lines to ensure no freeze-ups.

Check the outside of the house, the siding, looking for any spots that need caulking, repair, etc.

Place mousetraps in the rafters of the garage. (I hate to do it, but this is when rodents are looking to move into someplace warm.)

On the last mowing, pull a plug aerator around the lawn, then spread (homemade) compost around those areas which need it. Ground up leaves from this year will serve as a starter for the next batch of compost.

Remove the mower deck from the tractor. Lubricate all points on the tractor. Sharpen the blades as necessary, and store the deck in a spot out of the way.

Put snow-blade on the tractor.

Store away deck/outdoor furniture.

Put a container of kitty-litter in the trunk of the car, as well as an ice scraper. Check the wiper blades, replace as needed.

Mousetraps are no fun. Camp out in the attic with a BB gun! I got a big mouse that way two years ago in my apartment when winter was starting. (Come to think of it, that's when I was still single. I don't think mouse hunting is an option for me anymore.)
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DoresoomNov 18 '10 at 17:50

If you don't use your chimney, and it isn't insulated well (allowing cold air in, or hot air out) make sure to put some insulation up against the flue and (if it's not too aesthetically apalling) put up a sheet of 1/2-1" thick Foam Board in the hearth.
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mfgNov 18 '10 at 14:16

I've heard conflicting reports on whether I should cover my condenser or not. In fact, our house inspector said that they were designed for outdoors and that completely covering them promotes mold growth. The most he suggested was placing a tray or similar over the top to prevent snow getting inside but to leave the rest uncovered.
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Jeff YatesNov 17 '10 at 18:18

2

all you need to do is cover the top...snow isn't getting in on the sides.
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dotjoeNov 17 '10 at 21:50

All the various people that should know have always said do NOT cover it at all. They've all claimed that snow/ice buildup doesn't hurt anything, but that covering it (even leaving the sides open) leads to moisture/mold issues during the thaw.
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Brian KnoblauchMar 18 '11 at 17:32

I use a piece of plywood and a rock. It's not air tight or anything. Just don't want snow and ice inside the A/C unit.
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dotjoeOct 18 '12 at 20:25